So well said, Joe. The only difference between college and pro ball at this point is game day experience, and SoFi is a professional football atmosphere with pro football prices as well. Hard to imagine who thinks this is a good idea, even before you get into the legal ramifications…feels that people with no understanding or feel for the college football and UCLA.
My advice ? Get serious about improving the product and winning a few games…and they will come, Ray. Oh, they’ll definitely come.
The BRO report on this, said that they are hoping to get lots of money from the luxury suites and premium seating. Doubt it offsets $1B. Looks like they don't care about the common fan, and they are NOT a pro level team considering the pro level costs for the fans. Stay in the Rose Bowl and use that $1B for NIL and good coach.
Unless they bring in a top 10 team next, no one in their right state of mind will show up after maybe the first game or two of the season to see a poorly put on product on the field.
It seems like these folks in the Athletic Department at UCLA are trying to run a terrible college team like a pro club. It doesn’t make any sense at all.
Also, whose great idea was it to negotiate such a contract with the Rose Bowl where they left themselves no margin. Again, another terrible business decision.
They want to bring people to the stadium as Jim said, start by “winning games consistently.” Second, make all of us young and old fans and alumni feel like we are part of something bigger than a dollar symbol. Engage with us- make us feel like we are part of a team.
In addition, many folks across the country are experiencing tough economic conditions, I wonder how many will really spend twice the amount of money for a ticket for a mediocre product at best, and mediocre is being generous. In my 20 years after I graduated, successful seasons can be counted using a couple of fingers of one hand, and these folks believe people in today’s economy will be spending 350$-450$ for a family pack of 4, plus parking, and then a drink and some snacks. It can easily come out to 650$ to watch UCLA. They must think we are fools.
It'll be a lot closer to me but I'd miss a lot of the tailgating and the ambience of the mountains in the background. The stadium funnels crowd noise well so it sounds loud even when it's 1/6th full like a Charger game, comfier seats, and not as hot as Rose Bowl can get. Parking will be awful just like RB but more expensive. I still prefer Terry Donahue Pavilion over a generic suite that we have in our season ticket pool, especially the food. If this was something that had to happen because the existing contract ended, sure whatever. But there's no need.
If a stadium was on campus, ok. But not at Sofi....No tailgating, awful parking, awful access and not a place to be after sunset. As a season ticket holder since the 80's this would be the last straw.
I don't want to spend 2 hours getting to the place and 3 hours to leave.
This move feels like its all about chasing short term revenue from luxury boxes at the expens of what actually makes college football special. The Rose Bowl gameday atmoshere is part of UCLA's brand, and SoFi just doesnt have that campus connection or history that makes people want to show up.
Joe, I am very moved by your passionate pleas to Chancellor Frenk and, of course, stand with you four square!!
Tangentially, I am on the mailing list of Ben Bolch's "UCLA Unlocked" L.A.T. feature that regularly assaults my inbox and addresses UCLA athletics. Chief among the issues Mr Bolch discusses is the unctuous slithering of the AD out of the RB commitment in favor of that steel and plastic monument to NFL capitalism, SoFi Stadium.*
The thought of this traitorous move, this abandonment of our word and pledge and agreement is unseemly. Moreover, it seems redolent of the slime typical os some sinister plot to keep The Fetus in place..
..by The Fetus!
Unlike the Toe Jams' "Student Body Right", it's more like a stealthy 4-2-5 trap play designed to go behind the ratepayers' desire to retain any fragment of Bruin tradition. One's word is one's bond and any going back on same is squalid and wretched. Who else but some former "Back Easty" BC Ad would concoct a scheme such as this?
I digress.
Below is an excerpt from Bolch's commentary on the Inglewatts sellout. If you have not done so, I recommend hooking up with this service. While I despise the L.A.T. (see footnote below) and do not mean to be a traitor to our beloved TMB, it's kinda like Blutarsky said at the Animal House toga party:
"[Have a brew]; it don't cost nuthin'!"
..oh, and did I mention that I also despise The Fetus?
Soldier on, Westwood Warriors!
(begin snippet)
"..Other benefits of moving to SoFi Stadium would include a 13-mile commute that’s half the distance between campus and the Rose Bowl, as well as enhanced facilities such as more modern seating and scoreboards. But there are concerns about tailgating at SoFi Stadium, which has far more restrictive policies than those enjoyed by fans on a sprawling golf course and parking lots at the Rose Bowl.
"There would also be no guarantees of increased attendance as part of a stadium switch. When UCLA played Boise State in the 2023 L.A. Bowl at SoFi Stadium, the game drew an announced attendance of 32,780. That’s less than the 37,098 fans the team has averaged this season at the Rose Bowl, which is putting it on pace for an all-time low at the stadium.
"Visiting fans might also be less likely to travel across the country to see a game at SoFi Stadium as opposed to the Rose Bowl, which has long been considered one of the top destinations in college football.
"While it’s unlikely that UCLA’s stadium situation will be settled before its final home game of the season against Washington on Nov. 22, fans might want to savor that view of the San Gabriel Mountains a little longer than usual.
"Just in case it’s the last time they get to see it before a home football game."
*Do not be fooled; I am a devout conservative and -- while that may break with the viewpoint of the typical Bruin grad -- I am sworn to love and appreciate my fellow Bruin fans irrespective of persuasion.
Hold out for the on-campus stadium at the Drake site. Yes, it's got issues with the underground parking garage and Drake has massive footings/foundation, but it is feasible. I've dealt with the neighborhood groups in the area and there won't be the same opposition there was in the 60's. We've got 19 years to plan, fundraise and build. SoFi does nothing to enhance the UCLA football program, except make it even more soulless. An on-campus stadium is the only true solution!
The massive footings, ironically, were why Drake was voted down as an on-campus venue! Back when everyone was anti-establishment and anti-war in the early 70s, a $1 raise in the student incidental fees was voted down for fear of building a second deck on DDS and having a Junior Mausoleum on campus. Good on yer, mate: Souless SoFi!
Everyone was going into cardiac arrest over concern 50,000+ crowns even though they'd be massively blue and gold.
Now go up to the top of the post and look at the half-filled RB where the crowd is mostly GOBI GRED!*
Well said, Joe. Unfortunately, I can't recall a UCLA administration that tended to listen to its fans before making decisions affecting said fans...
Alas, I fear you are correct.
So well said, Joe. The only difference between college and pro ball at this point is game day experience, and SoFi is a professional football atmosphere with pro football prices as well. Hard to imagine who thinks this is a good idea, even before you get into the legal ramifications…feels that people with no understanding or feel for the college football and UCLA.
My advice ? Get serious about improving the product and winning a few games…and they will come, Ray. Oh, they’ll definitely come.
You'd think they'd want to spend the billion on a new on-campus stadium...
Such a good point, and also to fully pack NIL for years.
The BRO report on this, said that they are hoping to get lots of money from the luxury suites and premium seating. Doubt it offsets $1B. Looks like they don't care about the common fan, and they are NOT a pro level team considering the pro level costs for the fans. Stay in the Rose Bowl and use that $1B for NIL and good coach.
Unless they bring in a top 10 team next, no one in their right state of mind will show up after maybe the first game or two of the season to see a poorly put on product on the field.
It seems like these folks in the Athletic Department at UCLA are trying to run a terrible college team like a pro club. It doesn’t make any sense at all.
Also, whose great idea was it to negotiate such a contract with the Rose Bowl where they left themselves no margin. Again, another terrible business decision.
They want to bring people to the stadium as Jim said, start by “winning games consistently.” Second, make all of us young and old fans and alumni feel like we are part of something bigger than a dollar symbol. Engage with us- make us feel like we are part of a team.
In addition, many folks across the country are experiencing tough economic conditions, I wonder how many will really spend twice the amount of money for a ticket for a mediocre product at best, and mediocre is being generous. In my 20 years after I graduated, successful seasons can be counted using a couple of fingers of one hand, and these folks believe people in today’s economy will be spending 350$-450$ for a family pack of 4, plus parking, and then a drink and some snacks. It can easily come out to 650$ to watch UCLA. They must think we are fools.
It'll be a lot closer to me but I'd miss a lot of the tailgating and the ambience of the mountains in the background. The stadium funnels crowd noise well so it sounds loud even when it's 1/6th full like a Charger game, comfier seats, and not as hot as Rose Bowl can get. Parking will be awful just like RB but more expensive. I still prefer Terry Donahue Pavilion over a generic suite that we have in our season ticket pool, especially the food. If this was something that had to happen because the existing contract ended, sure whatever. But there's no need.
Thanks, Joe.
Jarmond is a 🤡.
If a stadium was on campus, ok. But not at Sofi....No tailgating, awful parking, awful access and not a place to be after sunset. As a season ticket holder since the 80's this would be the last straw.
I don't want to spend 2 hours getting to the place and 3 hours to leave.
This move feels like its all about chasing short term revenue from luxury boxes at the expens of what actually makes college football special. The Rose Bowl gameday atmoshere is part of UCLA's brand, and SoFi just doesnt have that campus connection or history that makes people want to show up.
Joe, I am very moved by your passionate pleas to Chancellor Frenk and, of course, stand with you four square!!
Tangentially, I am on the mailing list of Ben Bolch's "UCLA Unlocked" L.A.T. feature that regularly assaults my inbox and addresses UCLA athletics. Chief among the issues Mr Bolch discusses is the unctuous slithering of the AD out of the RB commitment in favor of that steel and plastic monument to NFL capitalism, SoFi Stadium.*
The thought of this traitorous move, this abandonment of our word and pledge and agreement is unseemly. Moreover, it seems redolent of the slime typical os some sinister plot to keep The Fetus in place..
..by The Fetus!
Unlike the Toe Jams' "Student Body Right", it's more like a stealthy 4-2-5 trap play designed to go behind the ratepayers' desire to retain any fragment of Bruin tradition. One's word is one's bond and any going back on same is squalid and wretched. Who else but some former "Back Easty" BC Ad would concoct a scheme such as this?
I digress.
Below is an excerpt from Bolch's commentary on the Inglewatts sellout. If you have not done so, I recommend hooking up with this service. While I despise the L.A.T. (see footnote below) and do not mean to be a traitor to our beloved TMB, it's kinda like Blutarsky said at the Animal House toga party:
"[Have a brew]; it don't cost nuthin'!"
..oh, and did I mention that I also despise The Fetus?
Soldier on, Westwood Warriors!
(begin snippet)
"..Other benefits of moving to SoFi Stadium would include a 13-mile commute that’s half the distance between campus and the Rose Bowl, as well as enhanced facilities such as more modern seating and scoreboards. But there are concerns about tailgating at SoFi Stadium, which has far more restrictive policies than those enjoyed by fans on a sprawling golf course and parking lots at the Rose Bowl.
"There would also be no guarantees of increased attendance as part of a stadium switch. When UCLA played Boise State in the 2023 L.A. Bowl at SoFi Stadium, the game drew an announced attendance of 32,780. That’s less than the 37,098 fans the team has averaged this season at the Rose Bowl, which is putting it on pace for an all-time low at the stadium.
"Visiting fans might also be less likely to travel across the country to see a game at SoFi Stadium as opposed to the Rose Bowl, which has long been considered one of the top destinations in college football.
"While it’s unlikely that UCLA’s stadium situation will be settled before its final home game of the season against Washington on Nov. 22, fans might want to savor that view of the San Gabriel Mountains a little longer than usual.
"Just in case it’s the last time they get to see it before a home football game."
(end snippet)
https://link.latimes.com/view/68c63e66e6cadd8e8a0ab511p9npp.1yi/23a09f1d
*Do not be fooled; I am a devout conservative and -- while that may break with the viewpoint of the typical Bruin grad -- I am sworn to love and appreciate my fellow Bruin fans irrespective of persuasion.
Hold out for the on-campus stadium at the Drake site. Yes, it's got issues with the underground parking garage and Drake has massive footings/foundation, but it is feasible. I've dealt with the neighborhood groups in the area and there won't be the same opposition there was in the 60's. We've got 19 years to plan, fundraise and build. SoFi does nothing to enhance the UCLA football program, except make it even more soulless. An on-campus stadium is the only true solution!
The massive footings, ironically, were why Drake was voted down as an on-campus venue! Back when everyone was anti-establishment and anti-war in the early 70s, a $1 raise in the student incidental fees was voted down for fear of building a second deck on DDS and having a Junior Mausoleum on campus. Good on yer, mate: Souless SoFi!
Everyone was going into cardiac arrest over concern 50,000+ crowns even though they'd be massively blue and gold.
Now go up to the top of the post and look at the half-filled RB where the crowd is mostly GOBI GRED!*
What a difference half a century makes!
*Nebraska "Go Big Red"